By LIAM STACK/
City Councilman James Vacca Credit Ruby Washington/The New York Times/
James Vacca, a city councilman from the Bronx, had a message on Friday for his constituents — and the sundry users of the Internet: He is an out and proud gay man.
The councilman, a Democrat, posted his coming out statement to Twitter on Friday afternoon.
“After talking w/ my friends & family I’ve decided to come out publicly as a gay man,” he wrote. “Now back to the Golden Girls!”
The post was marked with the hashtags #outandproud #comingout and was greeted with a flood of online support and praise from city and state political figures.
“I’m honored to know you and stand with you,” New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo wrote on Twitter in response. Letitia James, the city public advocate, wrote, “And the Truth shall set you free. Love is love.”
“Congrats, Jimmy! I hope this step brings you much happiness,” wrote Robert E Cornegy Jr., a councilman representing the 36th District of Brooklyn. “But who’s your favorite Golden Girl??? #TeamDorothy.”
Mr. Vacca, 60, responded that he, too, was a member of Team Dorothy. The councilman, a longtime community activist, has represented the 13th District of the Bronx in the City Council since 2006.
He is also the deputy leader of the City Council and chairman of its Technology Committee. As such, he said, coming out via Twitter felt like a natural move.
“I tweet almost every day, at least one thing pertaining to my district or my work on the council every day,” he said in an interview. “I thought it was a good way to reach people.”
Mr. Vacca said he had been planning to come out at some point this week and chose Friday “for no particular reason.” He described himself as “a private person” but said, “as a public official I thought that this was an important thing for me to do.”
The councilman, who has a daughter from a marriage to a woman and is in the process of getting a divorce, said he was “overwhelmed” by the positive response. “It’s heartwarming,” he said. “I never expected this. I thank all the New Yorkers who have been so kind.”(Kortezi nga :The New York Times)